Graphical authentication for a portable device and methods for use therewith

ABSTRACT

A portable device includes a touch screen that includes a display screen and that generates touch screen data in response to a user&#39;s interaction with the touch screen. A processor executes a security application for authenticating the user to the portable device that provides first display data to the touch screen for displaying a security prompt on the display screen. Touch screen data is received from the touch screen in response to the user&#39;s interaction with the touch screen and is processed to determine when an authentication shape is recognized as being indicated by the touch screen data. The user is authenticated to the portable device when the authentication shape is recognized as being indicated by the touch screen data.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

NOT APPLICABLE

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

NOT APPLICABLE

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

NOT APPLICABLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to portable devices that include touchscreens including communications devices and portable computing devices.

2. Description of Related Art

Display screens capable of touch input or touch screens, are used in awide variety of electronic equipment including portable, or handheld,devices. Such handheld devices include personal digital assistants(PDA), CD players, MP3 players, DVD players, AM/FM radios. Each of thesehandheld devices includes one or more integrated circuits to provide thefunctionality of the device. Examples of touch screens include resistivetouch screens and capacitive touch screens that include a display layerand sensing layer that is coupled to detect when a user has touched thescreen and to resolve the location of the touch. By coordinating thelocation of the touch with the information displayed on the displaylayer at that location, a touch sensitive graphical user interface canbe implemented.

Other examples of handheld devices include communication devices thatoperate in a communication system. Such communication systems range fromnational and/or international cellular telephone systems to the Internetto point-to-point in-home wireless networks to radio frequencyidentification (RFID) systems. Each type of communication system isconstructed, and hence operates, in accordance with one or morecommunication standards. For instance, wireless communication systemsmay operate in accordance with one or more standards including, but notlimited to, RFID, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services(AMPS), digital AMPS, global system for mobile communications (GSM),code division multiple access (CDMA), local multi-point distributionsystems (LMDS), multi-channel-multi-point distribution systems (MMDS),and/or variations thereof.

Depending on the type of wireless communication system, a wirelesscommunication device, such as a cellular telephone, two-way radio,personal digital assistant (PDA), personal computer (PC), laptopcomputer, home entertainment equipment, RFID reader, RFID tag, et ceteracommunicates directly or indirectly with other wireless communicationdevices. For direct communications (also known as point-to-pointcommunications), the participating wireless communication devices tunetheir receivers and transmitters to the same channel or channels (e.g.,one of the plurality of radio frequency (RF) carriers of the wirelesscommunication system) and communicate over that channel(s). For indirectwireless communications, each wireless communication device communicatesdirectly with an associated base station (e.g., for cellular services)and/or an associated access point (e.g., for an in-home or in-buildingwireless network) via an assigned channel. To complete a communicationconnection between the wireless communication devices, the associatedbase stations and/or associated access points communicate with eachother directly, via a system controller, via the public switch telephonenetwork, via the Internet, and/or via some other wide area network.

The disadvantages of conventional approaches will be evident to oneskilled in the art when presented the disclosure that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a portable device having aninductive touch screen in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a wirelesscommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial/schematic diagram of an embodiment of inductivetouch screen components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of inductive touchscreen components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a driver 310 inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a driver 310′ inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of measurement circuit 330 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of measurement circuit 330′ inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of inductivetouch screen components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of dual mode driver 356 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a further schematic block diagram of dual mode driver 356 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of inductivetouch screen components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of inductivetouch screen components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of inductor grid 320″ in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of a transceiver 358 andprogrammable antenna interface 368 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of a transceiver 358 andprogrammable antenna interface 368 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of a transceiver 358 andprogrammable antenna interface 368 in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of programmable antenna interface368 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of dual mode driver 366 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram of dual mode driver 366 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of communication device 10 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram of RF transceiver 125 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a schematic block diagram of communication device 10 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a schematic block diagram of RF transceiver 125′ inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a portabledevice implementing graphical authentication in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 30 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a portabledevice implementing graphical authentication in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 31 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a portabledevice implementing graphical authentication in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 32 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a portabledevice implementing graphical authentication in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 33 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a portabledevice implementing a training mode in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 34 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a portabledevice implementing a training mode in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 35 is a graphical representation of example touch screen data inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a graphical representation of an example velocity profile andstored velocity profile in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 37 is a graphical representation of an example normalized velocityprofile and stored velocity profile in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 38 is a schematic block diagram of device 506 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 39 is a schematic block diagram of security module 525 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 40 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 41 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 42 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 43 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a portable device having aninductive touch screen in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, a portable device 6 is shown, such as a personal digitalassistant (PDA), MP3 player, video player, electronic book or othermedia player, tablet personal computer (PC) or other computer,smartphone or other wireless telephony device, remote controller,universal remote controller or other control device, a game controlleror other gaming device, etc. In particular, portable device 6 optionallyincludes one or more transceivers, such as a wireless telephonytransceiver, Bluetooth transceiver, wireless local area networktransceiver, RF identification (RFID) transceiver, or other transceiverfor wireless communication, either directly or indirectly, with one ormore remote stations.

Portable device 6 includes an inductive touch screen 8 that is used aspart of a user interface. Inductive touch screen 8 includes a displayscreen, such as a liquid crystal display, plasma display or otherdisplay for displaying text and graphics such as images, icons, videoand other media. In operation, inductive touch screen 8 can interactwith a user by displaying information and responding to either the touchor proximity of a touch object such as a user's finger, stylus or otherobject to receive user input. In the example shown on the display screenof inductive touch screen 8, the user is prompted to select either “yes”or “no” by “touching” the corresponding box with a touch object.

Inductive touch screen 8 includes one or more functions and features ofthe present invention that will be discussed in conjunction with FIGS.2-28 that follow.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention. In particular acommunication system is shown that includes a communication device 10,such as portable device 6, that communicates real-time data 24 and/ornon-real-time data 26 wirelessly with one or more other devices such asbase station 18, non-real-time device 20, real-time device 22, andnon-real-time and/or real-time device 25. In addition, communicationdevice 10 can also optionally communicate over a wireline connectionwith non-real-time device 12, real-time device 14, non-real-time and/orreal-time device 16.

In an embodiment of the present invention the wireline connection 28 canbe a wired connection that operates in accordance with one or morestandard protocols, such as a universal serial bus (USB), Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 488, IEEE 1394 (Firewire),Ethernet, small computer system interface (SCSI), serial or paralleladvanced technology attachment (SATA or PATA), or other wiredcommunication protocol, either standard or proprietary. The wirelessconnection can communicate in accordance with a wireless networkprotocol such as wireless high definition (WiHD), next generation mobilesystems (NGMS), IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), WIMAX, orother wireless network protocol, a wireless telephony data/voiceprotocol such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), GeneralPacket Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution(EDGE), Personal Communication Services (PCS), or other mobile wirelessprotocol or other wireless communication protocol, either standard orproprietary. Further, the wireless communication path can includeseparate transmit and receive paths that use separate carrierfrequencies and/or separate frequency channels. Alternatively, a singlefrequency or frequency channel can be used to bi-directionallycommunicate data to and from the communication device 10.

Communication device 10 can be a mobile phone such as a cellulartelephone, a personal digital assistant, game console, personalcomputer, laptop computer, or other device that performs one or morefunctions that include communication of voice and/or data via wirelineconnection 28 and/or the wireless communication path. In an embodimentof the present invention, the real-time and non-real-time devices 12, 1416, 18, 20, 22 and 25 can be personal computers, laptops, PDAs, mobilephones, such as cellular telephones, devices equipped with wirelesslocal area network or Bluetooth transceivers, FM tuners, TV tuners,digital cameras, digital camcorders, or other devices that eitherproduce, process or use audio, video signals or other data orcommunications.

In operation, the communication device includes one or more applicationsthat include voice communications such as standard telephonyapplications, voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications, localgaming, Internet gaming, email, instant messaging, multimedia messaging,web browsing, audio/video recording, audio/video playback, audio/videodownloading, playing of streaming audio/video, office applications suchas databases, spreadsheets, word processing, presentation creation andprocessing and other voice and data applications. In conjunction withthese applications, the real-time data 26 includes voice, audio, videoand multimedia applications including Internet gaming, etc. Thenon-real-time data 24 includes text messaging, email, web browsing, fileuploading and downloading, etc.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 10has an inductive touch screen 8 that includes one or more functions andfeatures of the present invention that will be discussed in conjunctionwith FIGS. 3-28 that follow.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial/schematic diagram of an embodiment of inductivetouch screen components in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, a portion of an inductive touch screen, such as inductivetouch screen 8, is shown that includes a display layer 299 coupled to aninductor grid 320 via an optional intermediate layer 297. The diagram isnot drawn to scale, and in particular, the thickness of the displaylayer 299, optional intermediate layer 297 and inductor grid have beenexpanded. Display layer 299 can include a LCD layer, plasma layer orother display layer. Inductor grid 320 includes an array or other gridof inductive elements. In operation, the grid position 298 of either thetouch by, or proximity of, a touch object such as finger 296 isdetermined using inductor grid 320. In particular, one or more inductiveelements of inductor grid 320 are used to determine grid position 298based on a change in the magnetic field in these inductive elementscaused by the proximity or touch by touch object 296.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the display layer 299includes a metallic sublayer, a ferrite impregnated sublayer or othermagnetic structure. Display layer 299 is elastic and responds to thetouch of touch object 296 by deflecting toward the inductor grid 320 inthe region around grid position 298. The change in the magnetic fieldcaused by deflection of the magnetic structure is detected by theinductive element or elements in the region of the grid position 298 andis used by the inductive touch screen to detect touch by touch object296 as well as the grid position 298. In this case, optionalintermediate layer 297 can include an air gap or other gap, acompressible layer, an electrical insulator that is magneticallyconductive or can be omitted from the design.

In another embodiment, the touch object 296 can be replaced by a styluswith a ferromagnetic tip or other magnetic element that causes adetectable change in the magnetic field of one or more inductiveelements in the region of the grid position 298. In a furtherembodiment, the touch object 296, such as the finger shown, causes adetectable change in the magnetic field of one or more inductiveelements in the region of the grid position 298. In either case,optional intermediate layer 297 can include an air gap or other gap, anelectrical insulator that is magnetically conductive, anothermagnetically conductive material or can be omitted from the design.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of inductive touchscreen components in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, portions of a touch screen, such as touch screen 8, areshown including inductor grid 320 of inductive elements 300, switchmatrices 302 and 304 and driver 310. As shown in conjunction with FIG.3inductor grid 320 is coupled to a display layer, such as display layer299 to provide the screen display functionality of the touch screen andoptionally to provide a magnetic layer whose displacement is used inconjunction with inductor grid 320 to create a detectable magneticdisturbance in response to the touch of a touch object such as a fingeror stylus. In an embodiment of the present invention, the inductiveelements 300 are made up of individual coils that are arranged on asingle layer of a substrate, film or other supporting material.

In operation, the switch matrices 302 and 304 select individualinductive elements 300 of the inductor grid 329 in response to theselection signals 306 and 308. In the particular configuration shown,selection signal 306 commands switch matrix 302 to select a row ofinductor grid 320. Selection signal 308 commands switch matrix 304 toselect a column of inductor grid 320. A particular individual inductiveelement 300 in row X and column Y of inductor grid 320 can be coupled todriver 310 by the selection signals 306 and 308 that indicate thisparticular row/column combination.

Driver 310 drives the selected inductive element to detect whether ornot there is a touch object in proximity to the selected inductiveelement. By scanning the inductive elements 300 of inductor grid 320,driver 310 generates data that indicates which of the inductive elementscorrespond to touches and their corresponding grid positions andgenerates touch screen data 316 in response thereto. For instance,driver 310 for an N×M inductor grid 320, driver 310 can scan each of theNM inductive elements in a single scan and then repeat the scan atperiodic intervals.

It should be noted that, unlike a resistive touch screens and capacitivetouch screens, the inductive touch screen that includes inductive grid320 can detect the presence and grid position of any number simultaneousor contemporaneous touches. For instance, in a touch screen applicationthat implements a virtual keyboard, the touch screen of FIG. 4 candetect that a user is touching three different keys, such as the “Ctrl”,“Alt” and “Del” keys of the keyboard. In another example, the touchscreen of FIG. 4 can detect that the user is touching the “shift” keywhile also touching the a letter key such as b, indicating the userwishes to type a “B” rather than a “b”. In a further example involving avirtual piano keyboard, the touch screen of FIG. 4 can detect that theuser is touching four piano keys corresponding to a single octave majorchord. These are merely three of the many user interface applicationswhere the simultaneous or contemporaneous touching of multiple touchpoints on a touch screen can be useful.

In addition, the touch screen that includes inductive grid 320 cangenerate touch screen data 316 that indicates touch motion, patterns andother more complex information. In particular, the scanning rate of grid320 by driver 310 can be selected to support applications where a userslides a touch object across the touch screen. The motion of the touchobject can be detected as a sequence of grid positions and representedby a corresponding sequence of touch screen data 316 that indicate adirection and/or velocity of travel of the touch object within the grid,and/or a pattern that can be used for more complex user interfaceapplications. Such a touch screen can be used for handwritingrecognition, gaming applications in addition to other applications ofthe device that contains such a touch screen

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a driver 310 inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, a driver 310 isshown that includes a measurement circuit 330, row/column selector 332and controller 334 for driving a inductive element 300 implemented by asingle inductor.

In operation, the switch matrices 302 and 304 include a row matrix and acolumn matrix that are controlled by selection signals 306 and 308 thatinclude a row selection signal and a column selection signal. Driver 310includes a row/column selector 332 that generates the row selectionsignal (e.g. selection signal 306) and the column selection signal (e.g.selection signal 308) to sequentially scan the plurality of inductiveelements 300 as discussed in conjunction with FIG. 4. In thisembodiment, the driver 310 detects the touch object 324 in proximity toa selected inductive element 300 based on a measured self inductance ofthe single inductor. Measurement circuit drives the selected inductiveelement 300 via input/output lines 312 and 314 with a signal thatgenerates a magnetic field 322 in response. Interruptions to themagnetic field 322 caused by the proximity of the touch object 324reflect as changes to the self inductance of the single inductor. Thetouch object 324 can interrupt the magnetic field 322 by deflecting amagnetic layer in proximity to the inductive element 300 or directlybased on the magnetic content of the touch object itself. Measurementcircuit 330, in turn, detects the proximity of the touch object 324based on the change in self inductance.

Controller 334 generates control signals that command row/columnselector to generate selection signals 306 and 308 to scan the inductiveelements 300 of inductor grid 300. Controller 334 also generates controlsignals that command the measurement circuit 330 to drive a inductiveelement that has been selected and responds to sensing signals from themeasurement circuit 330 to detect changes in the self inductance of thesingle inductor. In an embodiment of the present invention, the driver310 via controller 344 executes a calibration procedure to detect aninitial self inductance for each of the inductive elements 300 ofinductor grid 320. During subsequent touch sensing, the controller 334of driver 310 generates touch screen data 316 based on a comparison ofthe measured self inductance and the initial self inductance. Inparticular, changes in the self inductance that are beyond a detectionthreshold can indicate the detection of a touch object in proximity to aselected inductive element 300. Controller 334 generates touch screendata 316 to indicate the detection of a touch object in proximity to aselected inductive element 300 along with the grid positioncorresponding to the particular inductive element 300 that was selected.

Controller 334 can include a shared or dedicated processing device. Sucha processing device, can be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operationalinstructions. The associated memory may be a single memory device or aplurality of memory devices. Such a memory device may be a read-onlymemory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory,static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/or any device thatstores digital information. Note that when the controller 334 implementsone or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry,digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the associated memory storingthe corresponding operational instructions for this circuitry isembedded with the circuitry comprising the state machine, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a driver 310′ inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, driver 310operates in a similar fashion as driver 310′ and includes many similarelements that are referred to by common reference numerals. In thisembodiment however, the plurality of inductive elements 300 areimplemented by an inductor pair/transformer 300′. Driver 310′ detectsthe touch object 324 in proximity to a selected inductive element 300′based on changes in the mutual inductance of the inductorpair/transformer 300′ caused by interruptions in the magnetic field 322′due to the proximity of touch object 324.

For example, measurement circuit 330′ and inductor pair/transformer 300′can operate as a magnetometer and react in a consistent fashion tochanges in the magnetic field caused by the proximity of touch object324. In this example, controller 334 can operate measurement circuit330′ without calibration or with minimal calibration of the inductiveelements 300′.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of measurement circuit 330 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular ameasurement circuit 330 includes a signal generator 340 and sensorcircuit 342. Switch matrices 302 and 304 that serve to couple theparticular inductive element 300 to the measurement circuit are notspecifically shown. Signal generator 346 responds to a control signal345, e.g. from controller 334, to drive one side of inductive element300′. In an embodiment of the present invention, signal generator 346includes an oscillator and sensing circuit 348 includes a resistor andoptional amplifier that generates sensing signal 347 as a voltage inresponse to the current coupled via mutual inductance to the other coil.

In another embodiment, signal generator 346 generates a pulse to drivethe selected inductive element 300′. Sensing circuit 348 generatessensing signal 347 in response to the pulse coupled via mutualinductance to the other coil. For example, sensing circuit 348 includesa resistor and optional amplifier that generates a voltage in proportionto the current through the inductive element 300, such as to measure thevariation in pulse decay due to the change in self inductance ofinductive element 300.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of measurement circuit 330′ inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular,measurement circuit 330′ operates in a similar fashion to measurementcircuit 330. In this embodiment however, the plurality of inductiveelements 300 are implemented by an inductor pair/transformer 300′.Signal generator 346 responds to a control signal 345, e.g. fromcontroller 334, to drive one side of inductive element 300′. In anembodiment of the present invention, signal generator 340 includes anoscillator and sensing circuit 342 includes a resistor and optionalamplifier that generates sensing signal 344 as a voltage in response tothe current through the other inductor in the inductor pair 300′ oranother inductor arranged to form an inductive divider. In anotherembodiment, signal generator 346 drives the inductive element 300′differentially and/or sensing circuit 348 includes a differentialamplifier for using differential mode signaling to detect changes inmutual inductance or to otherwise to generate and detect changes in amagnetic field due to the proximity of a touch object, such as a fingeror stylus.

In a further embodiment, signal generator 346 generates a pulse to drivethe selected inductive element 300. Sensing circuit 348 generatessensing signal 347 in response to the pulse. For example, sensingcircuit 348 includes a resistor and optional amplifier that generates avoltage in proportion to the current through the inductive element 300′,such as to measure the variation in pulse decay due to the change inmutual inductance of inductive element 300′.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of inductivetouch screen components in accordance with the present invention.Components of an inductive touch screen are shown that include similarelements to those previously discussed that are referred to by commonreference numerals. In this embodiment, the touch screen is implementedin a communication device such as communication device 10 that includesa processing module 225 that executes a communication application and atransceiver that communicates radio frequency (RF) signals with at leastone remote station in accordance with the communication application.Outbound data generated by the communication application of processingmodule 225 is sent to the transceiver 358 for transmission to remotesstations via outbound RF signals. Inbound RF signals received by thetransceiver 358 are converted to inbound data that are sent to theprocessing module 225 for use by the communication application.

The touch screen of FIG. 9 operates in a touch screen mode as describedin conjunction with FIGS. 1-8. In particular, inductor grid 320′, driver356, and switch matrices 352′ and 354′, operate in a touch screen modesimilarly to inductor grid 320, driver 310, and switch matrices 352 and354 to generate selection signals 306 and 308 to select an inductiveelement 300 or 300′ from inductor grid 320, to detect a touch object inproximity to the selected inductive element and to generate touch screendata in response thereto, such as touch screen data 316, that is send toprocessing module 225. In this fashion, such a touch screen can be usedin providing a user interface to the communication application ofprocessing module 225 or other applications of the communication device.

However, the touch screen of FIG. 9 is further capable of operating inan antenna mode of operation where a group of inductive elements 300 or300′ of inductor grid 320′ are switched by switch matrices 352′ and 354′to form an antenna that can be used by transceiver 358 to send andreceive RF signals. Optional antenna interface 173 can include adiplexor and/or a transmit/receive switch along with an impedancematching circuit to match the impedance of transceiver 358 to theantenna formed by the group of inductive elements 300 or 300′ ofinductor grid 320′.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of dual mode driver 356 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The dual modedriver 356 includes similar elements to the driver 310 that are referredto by common reference numerals. In this figure, the operation of dualmode driver 356 in an antenna mode of operation is shown. In particular,controller 334 responds to mode control signal 362 from processingmodule 225 that indicates the antenna mode of operation by commandingrow/column selector 332 to generate selection signals 306 and 308 thatconfigure switch matrices 352′ and 354′ to couple together a group ofinductive elements 300 or 300′ of inductor grid 320′ to form an antenna,such as a near field coil, helix or other antenna. Such a group caninclude all of the inductive elements of inductor grid 320′, a singlecolumn or row of the inductor grid 320′, or other selected elements. Inan embodiment where each of the inductive elements 300′ include aninductor pair, switch matrixes 352′ and/or 354′ can include switchesthat couple individual inductors in the inductor pair together, inseries or in parallel.

Dual mode driver 356 includes mode switch 360 that responds to controlsignal 361 from controller 334 to couple the antenna formed by the groupof inductive elements 300 or 300′, via the I/O lines 312 and 314 andantenna interface 173, to transceiver 358. In operation, inbound RFsignals received from the antenna formed by the group of inductiveelements 300 or 300′ are coupled to the transceiver 358 via mode switch360 and switch matrices 352′ and 354′. Similarly, outbound RF signalsfrom the transceiver 358 are coupled to the antenna formed by the groupof inductive elements 300 or 300′ via mode switch 360 and switchmatrices 352′ and 354′.

In addition to indicating an antenna mode, mode control signal 362 canoptionally indicate a particular antenna mode of a plurality of antennamodes corresponding to different antenna configurations. For instance,these different antenna configurations can correspond to differentfrequencies or different frequency bands or other configurations thatare implemented by different groupings of the inductive elements 300 or300′ of inductor grid 320′. In response to the selection of a particularantenna configuration by mode control signal 362, controller 334 cancommand row/column selector 332 to generate selection signals 306 and308 to select the corresponding group of inductive elements 300 or 300′of inductor grid 320′.

FIG. 11 is a further schematic block diagram of dual mode driver 356 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure,the operation of dual mode driver 356 in touch screen mode of operationis shown. In particular, controller 334 responds to mode control signal362 from processing module 225 that indicates the touch screen mode ofoperation by commanding row/column selector 332 to generate selectionsignals 306 and 308 that configure switch matrices 352′ and 354′ to scanselected inductive elements 300 or 300′. Mode switch 360 responds tocontrol signal 361 from controller 334 to couple the selected inductiveelements 300 or 300′, via the I/O lines 312 and 314, to measurementcircuit for detection of possible touch objects in proximity to theselected inductive elements 300 or 300′. The touch screen data 316generated by controller 334 in response to this scanning and detectionis coupled to processing module 225 for use in conjunction with acommunication application or other applications of the communicationdevice.

In operation, processing module 225 can generate mode control signals362 to alternate between the antenna and touch screen modes. When nottransceiving, the transceiver 358 can be disabled to reduce power andthe touch screen mode can be selected exclusively. When transceiving,the antenna mode can be selected exclusively for greater throughput. Inother cases however, the processing module 225 can multiplex between theantenna and touch screen modes to service both functions forcontemporaneous operation of touch screen during communication. Inparticular, scans of inductive grid 320′ can be scheduled during gaps intransmission and reception to maintain the functionality of the touchscreen while continuing to communicate with one or more remote stations.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of inductivetouch screen components in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, inductor grid 320″ can replace inductor grids 320 or 320′,switch matrix 364 can replace switch matrices 352/354 or 352′/354′ anddriver 310″ can replace drivers 310, 310′ or 356 to operate in a similarfashion to the previously described examples. Unlike the column/rowstructure of inductor grid 320, in this configuration, each inductiveelement 300 is individually coupled to switch matrix 364. Whileinductive elements 300 are shown, inductive elements 300′ could be usedin a similar fashion.

Switch matrix 364 operates based on selection signal 307 from driver310″ to select individual inductive elements for touch screen operation.Switch matrix 364 optionally can further operate based on selectionsignal 307 from driver 310″ to select one or more different groups ofinductive elements 300 or 300′ for antenna mode operation in conjunctionwith transceiver 358 and processing module 225.

Further, inductor grid 320″ can operate in a truly simultaneous mode ofoperation where I/O lines 313 include not only I/O lines 312 and 314 buta separate set of I/O lines. In this fashion, switch matrix 364 canselect a group of inductive elements 300 from a portion of the grid suchas the top, bottom, side or periphery that that can be coupled totransceiver 358 while using the remaining inductive elements 300 fortouch screen operation. In this mode or operation, a communicationdevice, such as communication device 10, can maintain full use of aportion of the touch screen while having uninterrupted usage of thetransceiver 358. In particular, when only a portion of the touch screenis active, the entire display surface can be used for display, withavailable touch portions limited to the portions of the inductor grid320″ that have been reserved for touch screen use.

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of inductivetouch screen components in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, inductor grid 320′″ operates in a touch screen mode withswitch matrix 364 and 310″ as described in conjunction with the exampleof FIG. 12. In this embodiment however, inductor grid includes aplurality of coupling elements 301 for coupling a group of inductiveelements 300 to together to form an antenna, such as a near field coil,helix or other antenna. Such a group can include all of the inductiveelements 300 of inductor grid 320′ as shown. In other embodiments asingle column or row of the inductor grid 320′, or other selectedelements can be coupled together. In an embodiment where the inductiveelements 300 are implemented as inductive elements 300′ that include aninductor pair, coupling elements 301 can further couple individualinductors in the inductor pair together, in series or in parallel.

Further, inductor grid 320′″ can also operate in a truly simultaneousmode of operation where I/O lines 313 include not only I/O lines 312 and314 but a separate set of I/O lines. Conductive elements 301 can couplea group of inductive elements 300 from a portion of the grid such as thetop, bottom, side or periphery that that can be coupled to transceiver358 while using the remaining inductive elements 300 for touch screenoperation. In this mode or operation, a communication device, such ascommunication device 10, can maintain full use of a portion of the touchscreen while having uninterrupted usage of the transceiver 358. In afurther embodiment, filtering in driver 310 and antenna interface 173can eliminate or reduce bleed-through from the antenna mode and thetouch screen mode and vice versa to allow simultaneous use of the fillinductor grid 320′″ for both purposes.

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of inductor grid 320″ in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the couplingelements 301 included in the inductor grid 320 and the coupling elements301 that couple the inductor grid to optional antenna interface 173 areimplemented via capacitors that provide a virtual short circuit or otherlow impedance at the frequency band of transceiver 358 while providing avirtual open circuit or other high impedance at the oscillationfrequency, pulse frequency or the pulse frequency components used bydriver 310″ to drive the inductive elements 300.

While two capacitors are shown to couple the inductor grid 320″ to theantenna interface 173, a single capacitor can be employed and/orincluded in the antenna interface 173.

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of a transceiver 358 andprogrammable antenna interface 368 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. This embodiment operates in a similar fashion tothe embodiments of 9-12, except that an external antenna 369 is coupledto transceiver 358 via a programmable antenna interface 368.Programmable antenna interface 368 includes a tunable impedance matchingcircuit that operates via an inductor implemented by a group ofinductive elements 300 or 300′.

In operation, control signal 167 indicates a transceiver mode ofoperation. Dual mode driver 366 operates in response to control signal167 to generate a selection signal 307 to select a group of theinductive elements 300 or 301 to operate as an inductor for programmableantenna interface 368 and to couple this inductor via a mode switch toprogrammable antenna interface 368. In the alternative, switch matrix364 can be used directly to couple the inductor formed by the selectedgroup of inductive elements 300 or 300′ to programmable antennainterface 368.

In a similar fashion to the implementation of FIGS. 9-12, control signal167 can select a particular group to implement a particular inductanceto tune the programmable antenna interface 368 to one of a plurality offrequencies, frequency bands, antennas, etc. Further, programmableantenna interface 368 can also respond to control signal 167 toconfigure or tune one or more internal components to one of a pluralityof frequencies, frequency bands, antennas, etc.

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of a transceiver 358 andprogrammable antenna interface 368 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. In particular, transceiver 358 includes aplurality of transceivers, such as transceivers 382 and 384. Controlsignal 167 is used by transceiver 358 to select a particular transceiverfor use. For example, transceiver 358 can include separate transceiversfor operating in the 900 MHz frequency band, and the 2.4 GHz/5.2 GHzfrequency bands. The choice of transceiver and the choice of frequencyband is indicated via control signal 167 generated by a communicationapplication of a processing module such as processing module 225.Programmable antenna interface 173 and the inductor implemented via theselected group of inductive elements 300 or 300′ form a programmable L/Ccircuit 380 that responds to control signal 167 to provide impedancematching to the antenna 372 at the selected frequency and/or frequencyband.

FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of a transceiver 358 andprogrammable antenna interface 368 in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention. In particular, this embodiment operates in asimilar fashion to the embodiment of FIG. 16, however, control signal167 further selects one of a plurality of antennas 392, 394 or otherwiseselects an antenna configuration of selectable antenna 390. In thisfashion, programmable L/C circuit 380 is controllable based on controlsignal 167 to match the transceiver 358 to the antenna 390, based on theantenna configuration, frequency band and/or frequency.

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of programmable antenna interface368 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, programmable antenna interface 368 operates in conjunctionwith an inductor formed by the selected group of inductive elements frominductor grid 320″ to form programmable L/C circuit 380. Programmableantenna interface 368 includes a programmable capacitor 374 thatincludes, for instance, a plurality of fixed capacitors that can becoupled together by an internal switch matrix to generate one or morecapacitors of controllable capacitance.

Programmable antenna interface 368 forms a matching circuit with theinductor formed by the selected group of inductive elements frominductor grid 320″. This group inductance and the programmable capacitorare controllable based on control signal 167 to match the transceiver358 to the antenna 390, based on the antenna configuration, frequencyband and/or frequency.

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of dual mode driver 366 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The dual modedriver 366 includes similar elements to the drivers 310 and 356 that arereferred to by common reference numerals. In this figure, the operationof dual mode driver 366 in a transceiver mode of operation is shown. Inparticular, controller 334 responds to mode control signal 167 fromprocessing module 225 that indicates a transceiver mode of operation bycommanding a selection generator selector 333 to generate selectionsignals 307 to configure switch matrix 364 to couple together a group ofinductive elements 300 or 300′ of inductor grid 320″ to form aninductor. Such a group can include all of the inductive elements ofinductor grid 320″, a single column or row of the inductor grid 320″, orother selected elements and can include a programmable inductance. In anembodiment where each of the inductive elements 300′ include an inductorpair, switch matrix 364 can include switches that couple individualinductors in the inductor pair together, in series or in parallel.

Dual mode driver 366 includes mode switch 360 that responds to controlsignal 361 from controller 334 to couple the inductor formed by thegroup of inductive elements 300 or 300′, via the I/O lines 312 and 314to programmable antenna interface 368. In operation, this inductance andthe programmable antenna interface 368 form a matching network for theantenna and the transceiver 358.

In addition to indicating a transceiver mode, mode control signal 167can optionally indicate a frequency band, frequency, or a particularantenna mode of a plurality of antenna modes corresponding to differentantenna configurations. For instance, these different antennaconfigurations can correspond to different frequencies or differentfrequency bands, beam patterns or other antenna configurations. Inresponse to the mode control signal 167, controller 334 can commandselection generator 333 to generate selection signal 307 to select thecorresponding group of inductive elements 300 or 300′ of inductor grid320′.

FIG. 20 is a further schematic block diagram of dual mode driver 366 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure,the operation of dual mode driver 366 in touch screen mode of operationis shown. In particular, controller 333 responds to mode control signal167 from processing module 225 that indicates the touch screen mode ofoperation by commanding selection generator 333 to generate selectionsignal 307 that configure switch matrix 364 to scan selected inductiveelements 300 or 300′. Mode switch 360 responds to control signal 361from controller 334 to couple the selected inductive elements 300 or300′, via the I/O lines 312 and 314, to measurement circuit 330 fordetection of possible touch objects in proximity to the selectedinductive elements 300 or 300′. The touch screen data 316 generated bycontroller 334 in response to this scanning and detection is coupled toprocessing module 225 for use in conjunction with a communicationapplication or other applications of the communication device.

In operation, processing module 225 can generate mode control signals167 to alternate between the transceiver and touch screen modes. Whennot transceiving, the transceiver 358 can be disabled to reduce powerand the touch screen mode can be selected exclusively. Whentransceiving, the transceiver mode can be selected exclusively forgreater throughput. In other cases however, the processing module 225can multiplex between the transceiver and touch screen modes to serviceboth functions for contemporaneous operation of touch screen duringcommunication. In particular, scans of inductive grid 320′ can bescheduled during gaps in transmission and reception to maintain thefunctionality of the touch screen while continuing to communicate withone or more remote stations. Further, with modifications to mode switch360 and/or switch matrix 364, the touch screen can operate in both modessimultaneously with some inductive elements of inductor grid 320″operating as an inductor for programmable antenna interface 368 andother inductive elements of inductor grid 320″ operating in conjunctionwith the touch screen, limiting the portion of the touch screenavailable for touch interactivity, but not limiting the availability ofthe entire touch screen for display purposes.

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a circuit inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, an RF integratedcircuit (IC) 50 is shown that implements communication device 10 inconjunction with microphone 60, touch screen 56 such as touch screen 8described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-14, memory 54, speaker 62, camera76, and other user interface devices 58, antenna interface 173 andwireline port 64. In addition, RF IC 50 includes a transceiver 358 withRF and baseband modules for formatting and modulating data into RFreal-time data 26 and non-real-time data 24 and transmitting this datavia the antenna interface 173 and further via an antenna. Further, RF IC50 includes an input/output module 71 with appropriate encoders anddecoders for communicating via the wireline connection 28 via wirelineport 64, an optional memory interface for communicating with off-chipmemory 54, a codec for encoding voice signals from microphone 60 intodigital voice signals, a touch screen interface for generating data fromtouch screen 56 in response to the actions of a user, a display driverfor driving the display of touch screen 56, such as by rendering a colorvideo signal, text, graphics, or other display data, and an audio driversuch as an audio amplifier for driving speaker 62 and one or more otherinterfaces, such as for interfacing with the camera 76 or the otherperipheral devices.

Off-chip power management circuit 95 includes one or more DC-DCconverters, voltage regulators, current regulators or other powersupplies for supplying the RF IC 50 and optionally the other componentsof communication device 10 and/or its peripheral devices with supplyvoltages and or currents (collectively power supply signals) that may berequired to power these devices. Off-chip power management circuit 95can operate from one or more batteries, line power and/or from otherpower sources, not shown. In particular, off-chip power managementmodule can selectively supply power supply signals of differentvoltages, currents or current limits or with adjustable voltages,currents or current limits in response to power mode signals receivedfrom the RF IC 50. RF IC 50 optionally includes an on-chip powermanagement circuit 95′ for replacing the off-chip power managementcircuit 95.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the RF IC 50 is a system on achip integrated circuit that includes a processing module 225 forexecuting a communication application for communicating with one or moreremote stations via transceiver 358 and optionally one or moreadditional applications of communications device 10. Such a processingdevice, for instance, may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operationalinstructions. The associated memory may be a single memory device or aplurality of memory devices that are either on-chip or off-chip such asmemory 54. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random accessmemory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamicmemory, flash memory, and/or any device that stores digital information.Note that when the processing module 225 implements one or more of itsfunctions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,and/or logic circuitry, the associated memory storing the correspondingoperational instructions for this circuitry is embedded with thecircuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram of an RF transceiver 125 inaccordance an embodiment of the present invention. The RF transceiver125, such as transceiver 358, includes an RF transmitter 129, and an RFreceiver 127. The RF receiver 127 includes a RF front end 140, a downconversion module 142 and a receiver baseband processing module 144. TheRF transmitter 129 includes a transmitter baseband processing module146, an up conversion module 148, and a radio transmitter front-end 150.

As shown, the receiver and transmitter are each coupled to an antennathrough an antenna interface 173 that couples the transmit signal 155 tothe antenna to produce outbound RF signal 170 and couples inbound signal152 to produce received signal 153. While a single antenna isrepresented, the receiver and transmitter may share a multiple antennastructure that includes two or more antennas. In another embodiment, thereceiver and transmitter may share a multiple input multiple output(MIMO) antenna structure, diversity antenna structure, phased array orother controllable antenna structure that includes a plurality ofantennas. Each of these antennas may be fixed, programmable, and antennaarray or other antenna configuration.

In operation, the transmitter receives outbound data 162 from otherportions of its a host device, such as a communication applicationexecuted by processing module 225 or other source via the transmitterprocessing module 146. The transmitter processing module 146 processesthe outbound data 162 in accordance with a particular wirelesscommunication standard to produce baseband or low intermediate frequency(IF) transmit (TX) signals 164 that contain outbound data 162. Thebaseband or low IF TX signals 164 may be digital baseband signals (e.g.,have a zero IF) or digital low IF signals, where the low IF typicallywill be in a frequency range of one hundred kilohertz to a fewmegahertz. Note that the processing performed by the transmitterprocessing module 146 can include, but is not limited to, scrambling,encoding, puncturing, mapping, modulation, and/or digital baseband to IFconversion.

The up conversion module 148 includes a digital-to-analog conversion(DAC) module, a filtering and/or gain module, and a mixing section. TheDAC module converts the baseband or low IF TX signals 164 from thedigital domain to the analog domain. The filtering and/or gain modulefilters and/or adjusts the gain of the analog signals prior to providingit to the mixing section. The mixing section converts the analogbaseband or low IF signals into up-converted signals 166 based on atransmitter local oscillation.

The radio transmitter front end 150 includes a power amplifier and mayalso include a transmit filter module. The power amplifier amplifies theup-converted signals 166 to produce outbound RF signals 170, which maybe filtered by the transmitter filter module, if included. The antennastructure transmits the outbound RF signals 170 to a targeted devicesuch as a RF tag, base station, an access point and/or another wirelesscommunication device via antenna interface 173 coupled to an antennathat provides impedance matching and optional bandpass filtration.

The receiver receives inbound RF signals 152 via the antenna and antennainterface 173 that operate to process the inbound RF signal 152 intoreceived signal 153 for the receiver front-end 140. the receiverfront-end 140 can include a low noise amplifier and optional filtration.The down conversion module 142 includes a mixing section, an analog todigital conversion (ADC) module, and may also include a filtering and/orgain module. The mixing section converts the desired RF signal 154 intoa down converted signal 156 that is based on a receiver localoscillation, such as an analog baseband or low IF signal. The ADC moduleconverts the analog baseband or low IF signal into a digital baseband orlow IF signal. The filtering and/or gain module high pass and/or lowpass filters the digital baseband or low IF signal to produce a basebandor low IF signal 156. Note that the ordering of the ADC module andfiltering and/or gain module may be switched, such that the filteringand/or gain module is an analog module.

The receiver processing module 144 processes the baseband or low IFsignal 156 in accordance with a wireless communication protocol toproduce inbound data 160. The processing performed by the receiverprocessing module 144 includes, but is not limited to, digitalintermediate frequency to baseband conversion, demodulation, demapping,depuncturing, decoding, and/or descrambling.

FIG. 23 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a circuit inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, an RF integratedcircuit (IC) 50′ is shown that implements communication device 10 inconjunction with microphone 60, touch screen 56 such as touch screen 8described in conjunction with FIGS. 14-20, along with programmableantenna interface 368. The RF IC 50, operates in a similar function toRF IC 50 and includes many similar elements that are referred to bycommon reference numerals.

FIG. 24 is a schematic block diagram of an RF transceiver 125 inaccordance an embodiment of the present invention. The RF transceiver125′, such as transceiver 358, includes an RF transmitter 129, and an RFreceiver 127. RF transceiver 125′ operates in a similar function to RFtransceiver 125 and includes many similar elements that are referred toby common reference numerals. However, programmable interface isconfigurable based on control signal 167 from processing module 225 aspreviously described.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more features and functionsdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-24. In step 400, information isdisplayed via a display layer. In step 402, at least one selectionsignal is generated. In step 404, a selected one of a plurality ofinductive elements arranged on a single layer is selected in response tothe at least one selection signal. In step 406, the selected one of theplurality of inductive elements is driven. In step 408, a touch objectis detected in proximity to the selected one of the plurality ofinductive elements. In step 410, touch screen data is generated inresponse to detecting the touch object in proximity to the selected oneof the plurality of inductive elements.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of inductiveelements each include a single inductor. Step 406 can include detectingthe touch object in proximity to the selected one of the plurality ofinductive elements based on a measured self inductance of the singleinductor. Step 406 can also include executing a calibration procedure todetect an initial self inductance and step 410 can include generatingthe touch screen data based on a comparison of the measured selfinductance and the initial self inductance. In another embodiment, theplurality of inductive elements each include a inductor pair and step406 can include detecting the touch object in proximity to the selectedone of the plurality of inductive elements based on a mutual inductanceof the inductor pair.

The touch screen data can include a grid position associated with theselected one of the plurality of inductive elements. The at least oneselection signal can includes a row selection signal and a columnselection signal. Step 402 can include generating the row selectionsignal and the column selection signal to sequentially scan theplurality of inductive elements.

Step 406 can include generating an oscillation to drive the selected oneof the plurality of inductive elements and generating a sensing signalin response to the oscillation. Step 406 can include generating a pulseto drive the selected one of the plurality of inductive elements andgenerating a sensing signal in response to the pulse.

The touch object can include a finger, stylus or other object. Step 410can include detecting the touch object deflecting the display layer.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more features and functionsdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-25. In step 420, information isdisplayed via a display layer. In step 422, at least one selectionsignal is generated. In step 424, a selected one of a plurality ofinductive elements is selected in response to the at least one selectionsignal. In step 426, the selected one of the plurality of inductiveelements is driven to detect a touch object in proximity to the selectedone of the plurality of inductive elements. In step 428, touch screendata is generated in response when the touch object is detected inproximity to the selected one of the plurality of inductive elements. Instep 430, a group of the plurality of inductive elements are coupledtogether to form an antenna via a first plurality of capacitors. In step432, the antenna formed by the group of the plurality of inductiveelements is coupled to the transceiver via at least one secondcapacitors to send and receive the RF signals.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more features and functionsdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-26. In step 440, information isdisplayed via a display layer. In step 442, at least one selectionsignal is generated. In decision block 444, the method determineswhether a first or second mode of operation is selected. In a first modeof operation the method executes step 446 of selecting, in response tothe at least one selection signal, a selected one of a plurality ofinductive elements; step 448 of driving the selected one of theplurality of inductive elements to detect a touch object in proximity tothe selected one of the plurality of inductive elements; and step 450 ofgenerating touch screen data in response thereto. In a second mode ofoperation the method executes step 452 of coupling together a group ofthe plurality of inductive elements; and step 454 of coupling the groupof the plurality of inductive elements to the programmable antennainterface.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more features and functionsdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-27. In step 460, information isdisplayed via a display layer. In step 462, at least one selectionsignal is generated. In decision block 464, the method determineswhether a first or second mode of operation is selected. In a first modeof operation the method executes step 466 of selecting, in response tothe at least one selection signal, a selected one of a plurality ofinductive elements; step 468 of driving the selected one of theplurality of inductive elements to detect a touch object in proximity tothe selected one of the plurality of inductive elements; and step 470 ofgenerating touch screen data in response thereto. In a second mode ofoperation the method executes step 472 of coupling together a group ofthe plurality of inductive elements to form an antenna; and step 474 ofcoupling the antenna formed by the group of the plurality of inductiveelements to the transceiver to send and receive RF signals.

FIG. 29 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a portabledevice implementing graphical authentication in accordance with thepresent invention. In particular, a portable device 506 is shown, thatincludes touch screen, such as an inductive touch screen, capacitivetouch screen, resistive touch screen or other touch screen that includesa display screen 508 and that generates touch screen data in response toa user's interaction with the touch screen. The portable device 506includes one or more processors for executing applications associatedwith the portable device 506 and that further executes a securityapplication for authenticating the user to the portable device. Theportable device 506 can be a laptop, tablet, netbook or other portablecomputer, a personal digital assistant, a communication device 10, orother wireless telephone or smart phone, a media player, or otherhandheld device that includes a touch screen and provides secure accessto the device by authenticating the user.

In operation, the security application authenticates the user beforeproviding the user access to the portable device 506. Such access caninclude access to one or more applications of the portable device 506,access to one or more advanced features of the portable device or topersonal information, settings or administrative functions of theportable device 506. In an embodiment of the present invention, eachtime the portable device is turned on, or placed in an active mode froma sleep mode, hibernation or after a period of inactivity, the securityapplication provides display data to the touch screen for displaying asecurity prompt on the display screen. As shown on display screen 508,the security application displays the security prompt “Enter securitycode”. In a further example, another security prompt can be presentedthat more specifically prompts the user to draw the authenticationshape.

The security code can be a line drawing or other drawing of a number orletter or a non-alphanumeric symbol, shape, character or other graphic,that is associated with the user and can be used by the securityapplication to authenticate the user to the portable device 506. In theline drawing 500 shown, the authentication shape can include one or morepoints of self intersection. In the alternative, authentication shapescan be less complex without points were the line drawing intersectsitself. In addition, the authentication shape can include multiple linedrawings or other drawings including numbers or letters or anon-alphanumeric symbols, shapes, characters or other graphics.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the user is allowed to selecttheir own authentication shape and, through a training routine, providethe security application with training samples, exemplars or othersufficient information so as to allow the security application torecognize future instances of the authentication shape drawn by the useron the touch screen. For example, the user can choose to draw afigure-eight pattern and train the device to recognize the his or herparticular rendition of a figure-eight by supplying one or more trainingsamples to the device.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an authentication shapeis randomly generated and/or randomly selected from a large number ofpossible authentication shapes and shown to the user during set up ofthe portable device 506. The user must mimic the authentication shape atlater times in response to the security prompt in order to obtain accessto the device. For example, the portable device may randomly select atriangle as the authentication shape for the user and provide an exampleof how to draw the shape on the screen for the user to mimic, whenprompted, in order to gain access to the portable device 506 in thefuture. It should be noted that, training may also optionally be used toprovide the security application with sufficient information so as toallow the security application to recognize future instances of theauthentication shape drawn by the user on the touch screen. In the“triangle” example discussed above, the security application can betrained to recognize the particular way that the user draws thetriangle.

When the user draws the authentication shape on the touch screen, touchscreen data is received from the touch screen in response to the user'sinteraction with the touch screen. In FIG. 29, the drawing of theauthentication shape 500 by the user's finger is indicated by a dashedline. While a finger is shown as a means for interacting with the touchscreen, other devices such as a stylus, pen or other object may likewisebe used. In an embodiment of the present invention, the securityapplication suppresses the display of the touch screen data so as to notdisplay the authentication shape 500 when it is drawn. In this fashion,other persons that may be observing the user's drawing of theauthentication may find it more difficult to interpret what shape isbeing drawn.

The security application processes the touch screen data to determinewhen an authentication shape is recognized as being indicated by thetouch screen data. In particular, the user is authenticated to theportable device 506 when the authentication shape is recognized as beingindicated by the touch screen data. As will be understood, the securityapplication can optionally force the user to change his or herauthentication shape periodically, after either expiration of a certaintime or after x logins to the portable device 506 or after yunsuccessful logins, etc.

FIG. 30 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a portabledevice implementing graphical authentication in accordance with thepresent invention. In particular, another mode of operation of portabledevice 506 is presented that includes similar elements to thosedescribed in conjunction with FIG. 29 that are referred to by commonreference numerals. As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 29, when theuser draws the authentication shape on the touch screen, touch screendata is received from the touch screen in response to the user'sinteraction with the touch screen. In this mode of operation however,the security application displays of the touch screen data so as todisplay the authentication shape 502 when it is drawn. In this fashion,the user of the device has visual feedback of the shape being drawn toaid in more accurate reproduction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, modes of operationcorresponding to whether the line drawing of the authentication isdisplayed or suppressed, are user selectable. In this fashion, users canselect to display or suppress the line drawing, based on theirpreferences, based on their desired level of security or more simply atdifferent times.

FIG. 31 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a portabledevice implementing graphical authentication in accordance with thepresent invention. In particular, another mode of operation of portabledevice 506 is presented that includes similar elements to thosedescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 29-30 that are referred to by commonreference numerals. As discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 29-30, whenthe user draws the authentication shape on the touch screen, touchscreen data is received from the touch screen in response to the user'sinteraction with the touch screen. In this mode of operation however,the security application displays of the touch screen data so as todisplay the authentication shape 501 with limited persistence so as todisplay only a portion of the line drawing at a time. In the embodimentshown, the solid line indicates the portion of the line drawing 501 thatis currently being displayed and the dashed line indicates the portionof the line drawing that was drawn but no longer displayed.

For example, portions of touch screen data can be displayed for somelimited persistence time, t_(p), that is less than the amount of timetaken to draw the entire line drawing of the authentication shape 501.In another example, the display of the line drawing is allowed to fadelinearly, exponentially or via another fading function so as todisappear or substantially disappear gradually after some persistencetime t_(p). In this fashion, the user of the device has some visualfeedback of the shape being drawn to aid in more accurate reproduction,while not displaying the entire authentication shape, for enhancedsecurity.

In an embodiment of the present invention, modes of operationcorresponding to whether the line drawing of the authentication isdisplayed fully, displayed with limited persistence or suppressed, areuser selectable. In this fashion, users can select how to display theline drawing or to suppress the line drawing, based on theirpreferences, based on their desired level of security or more simply atdifferent times.

FIG. 32 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a portabledevice implementing graphical authentication in accordance with thepresent invention. In this embodiment, the security prompt includes atext entry box that allows the user to enter text via a keyboardconnected to portable device 506, a keyboard included in portable device506 or soft keys implemented via the touch screen. In one example, theprocess of authenticating the user to the portable device requires boththe entry and recognition of the authentication shape and the entry of avalid security password in the text entry box. In this fashion, theentry and recognition of the authentication shape adds to the securityprovided by the password. In the example shown, the security promptidentifies only the password and does not identify that anauthentication shape is required, further frustrating the attempts of anunauthorized user to gain access to the portable device 506. In afurther example, an additional security prompt can be presented thatspecifically prompts the user to draw the authentication shape.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a dummy text entry boxcan be presented in the security prompt. In particular, the text entrybox can accept text input that is ignored when authenticating the userto the portable device—for instance, with authentication being basedinstead on the entry of an authentication shape as previously discussed.As will be understood, the provision of a dummy text entry box serves tofurther frustrate attempts of an unauthorized user to gain access to theportable device 506.

It should be noted that the various embodiments discussed in conjunctionwith FIGS. 29-32 can be included in a single device and presented asdifferent modes of operation. In this fashion, modes with greater orlesser security can be selected by the user, or attached to providediffering levels of security in different circumstances, to accessdifferent features, to access different data, etc.

FIGS. 33 and 34 are schematic block diagrams of an embodiment of aportable device implementing a training mode in accordance with thepresent invention. In particular, portable device 506 includes asecurity application that recognizes authentication shapes with auser-dependent pattern recognition algorithm, a neural network or otherlearning algorithm. In the training mode, the user is prompted, viascreen display 508 to enter training shapes 510 and 512. The securityapplication processes the touch screen data from each of the trainingshapes in order to model the authentication shape the user entering, forfuture recognition in authentication mode.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the training mode prompts theuser to enter training shapes until a model is generated that successfulrecognizes the training shapes in a consistent fashion so as to providereliable recognition of the authentication shape in the authenticationmode.

FIG. 35 is a graphical representation of example touch screen data inaccordance with the present invention. In this example, the touch screenof portable device 506 generates touch data indicated by the smallcircles at sample times (t₁, t₂, t₃, . . . t₁₇) in terms of X and Ycoordinates. The ith sample, S_(i), at time t_(i), can be representedby:S _(i)=(Xt _(i) , Yt _(i))where Xt_(i) represents the X coordinate at time t_(i) and where Yt_(i)represents the Y coordinate at time t_(i). Considering a more genericcase, touch screen data includes a set of n samples, [S₁, S₂, S₃, . . .S_(n)].

As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 29, the touch screen data isprocessing to determine when an authentication shape is recognized asbeing indicated by the touch screen data. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, such processing can include preprocessing to extracta plurality of shape descriptors from the drawing such as line and arcsegments, Fourier descriptors, or other shape descriptors that describethe authentication shape as a function of the samples. Suchpreprocessing can generate size and/or orientation dependent shapedescriptors for processing by a size and/or orientation dependentpattern recognition algorithm. In the alternative, such preprocessingcan generate size and/or orientation independent shape descriptors forprocessing by a size and/or orientation independent pattern recognitionalgorithm. Consider a set of k descriptors, [D₁, D₂, D₃, . . . D_(k)],for a particular authentication shape, these descriptors are extractedas a function of the samples, or[D₁, D₂, D₃, . . . D_(k)]=F[S₁, S₂, S₃, . . . S_(n)]where F represents a particular descriptor function.

FIG. 36 is a graphical representation of an example velocity profile andstored velocity profile in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, processing of the touch screen data can includepreprocessing to extract a velocity profile associated with the user'sinteraction with the touch screen. Considering the sampling of touchscreen data described in conjunction with FIG. 35, the velocity V_(i)associated with a sample S_(i) can be estimated as:V _(i)=SQRT((Xt _(i) −Xt _(i−1))²+(Yt _(i) −Yt _(i−1))²)/(t _(i) −t_(i−1))In an embodiment of the present invention, the velocity profile can bedetermined for a set of samples [S₀, S₁, S₂, S₃, . . . S_(n)] as beingbased on one or more of the estimated velocities [V₁, V₂, V₃, . . .V_(n)].

In an embodiment of the present invention, a stored velocity profile 540is generated in a training mode, by normalizing the data over a meantime duration t_(n)* of the drawing and by fitting the aggregate datacollected over one or more training samples to a curve using a curvefitting algorithm. The velocity profile [V₁, V₂, V₃, . . . V_(n)] shownas points 542 corresponding to the user's interaction with the touchscreen is compared to the stored velocity profile 540 using and the useris authenticated to the portable device 506 when the velocity profile542 associated with the user's interaction with the touch screencompares favorably to the stored velocity profile 540. In particular,when the mean difference or aggregated difference between the storedvelocity profile 540 and the velocity profile 542 is less than athreshold, and the authentication shape is also authenticated, then theuser is authenticated to the portable device.

In this particular embodiment, both shape and velocity profile arerequired for authentication, meaning that a user must draw a similarshape with a similar velocity to match the training data. In this modeof operation, an unauthorized user that copies the authentication shape,but with a different velocity profile will not authenticated to theportable device 506.

FIG. 37 is a graphical representation of an example normalized velocityprofile and stored velocity profile in accordance with the presentinvention. In this embodiment of the present invention, in thisembodiment, the velocity profile [V₁, V₂, V₃, . . . V_(n)] is timenormalized to match the mean time duration t_(n)* of the stored velocityprofile. In this embodiment the user is authenticated to the portabledevice 506, when the time normalized velocity profile 544 (representedby normalized dots) compares favorably to the stored velocity profile540.

FIG. 38 is a schematic block diagram of device 506 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In particular, an RF integratedcircuit (IC) 51 is shown that implements portable device 506, such ascommunication device 10, in conjunction with microphone 60, touch screen56′ such as an inductive, capacitive, resistive or other touch screen,memory 54, speaker 62, camera 76, and other user interface devices 58,antenna interface 173 and wireline port 64. In addition, RF IC 51includes a transceiver 358 with RF and baseband modules for formattingand modulating data into RF real-time data 26 and non-real-time data 24and transmitting this data via the antenna interface 173 and further viaan antenna. Further, RF IC 51 includes an input/output module 71 withappropriate encoders and decoders for communicating via the wirelineconnection 28 via wireline port 64, an optional memory interface forcommunicating with off-chip memory 54, a codec for encoding voicesignals from microphone 60 into digital voice signals, a touch screeninterface for generating data from touch screen 56′ in response to theactions of a user, a display driver for driving the display of touchscreen 56′, such as by rendering a color video signal, text, graphics,or other display data, and an audio driver such as an audio amplifierfor driving speaker 62 and one or more other interfaces, such as forinterfacing with the camera 76 or the other peripheral devices.

Off-chip power management circuit 95 includes one or more DC-DCconverters, voltage regulators, current regulators or other powersupplies for supplying the RF IC 50 and optionally the other componentsof portable device 506 and/or its peripheral devices with supplyvoltages and or currents (collectively power supply signals) that may berequired to power these devices. Off-chip power management circuit 95can operate from one or more batteries, line power and/or from otherpower sources, not shown. In particular, off-chip power managementmodule can selectively supply power supply signals of differentvoltages, currents or current limits or with adjustable voltages,currents or current limits in response to power mode signals receivedfrom the RF IC 51. RF IC 51 optionally includes an on-chip powermanagement circuit 95′ for replacing the off-chip power managementcircuit 95.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the RF IC 51 is a system on achip integrated circuit that includes a processing module 225 forexecuting a communication application for communicating with one or moreremote stations via transceiver 358 and optionally one or moreadditional applications of portable device 506, and a security module525 for executing the various security applications described inconjunction with FIGS. 29-37. Such a processing device, for instance,may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. Theassociated memory may be a single memory device or a plurality of memorydevices that are either on-chip or off-chip such as memory 54. Such amemory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flashmemory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note thatwhen the processing module 225 implements one or more of its functionsvia a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the associated memory storing the corresponding operationalinstructions for this circuitry is embedded with the circuitrycomprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,and/or logic circuitry.

While shown as a separate module, security module 525 can be implementedvia an on-chip processing device 225, another shared processing deviceor via its own processing device.

FIG. 39 is a schematic block diagram of security module 525 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular,security module 525 includes a preprocessing module 522 forpreprocessing touch screen data 520 to generate training data 526 when atraining mode is indicated by mode selection signal 524 and further forprocessing and/or preprocessing touch screen data 520 to generateauthentication data 530 when an authentication mode is indicated by modeselection signal 524. For example, preprocessing module 522 can generatesize and/or orientation independent shape descriptors, size and/ororientation dependent shape descriptors, velocity profiles, and or othertraining data 526 and authentication data 530.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the preprocessing module 522,training module 528 and authentication module 532 are implemented via adedicated or shared processing device or devices. Any such a processingdevice, for instance, may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operationalinstructions. The associated memory may be a single memory device or aplurality of memory devices that are either on-chip or off-chip. Such amemory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flashmemory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note thatwhen the preprocessing module 522 training module 528 and authenticationmodule 532 implement one or more of their functions via a state machine,analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, theassociated memory storing the corresponding operational instructions forthis circuitry is embedded with the circuitry comprising the statemachine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

The training data 526 and the authentication data 530 can each includeshape descriptors, velocity profiles and or other data generated byprocessing touch screen data 520 for the creation of training data suchas stored data 534 and the recognition of an authentication shape and/orvelocity profile in touch screen data via authentication module 532 aspreviously discussed in conjunction with the operation of the securityapplication.

Authentication module 532 can implement a size or orientation dependentor independent pattern recognition. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, the security application includes a plurality of operatingmodes having a corresponding plurality of security levels. For instance,for a first security level of the plurality of levels, an authenticationshape is recognized based on size and/or orientation independent shapedescriptor. For a second security level of the plurality of levels, theauthentication shape can be recognized based on a size and/ororientation dependent shape descriptor.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention. In particular a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with any of the FIGS. 1-39. In step600, first display data are provided to a touch screen for displaying asecurity prompt, In step 602, touch screen data are received from thetouch screen in response to the user's interaction with the touchscreen. In step 604, the touch screen data is processed to determinewhen an authentication shape is recognized as being indicated by thetouch screen data. In step 608, the user is authenticated to theportable device when the authentication shape is recognized as beingindicated by the touch screen data. In step 610, the user is notauthenticated to the portable device when the authentication shape isnot recognized as being indicated by the touch screen data.

In an embodiment of the present invention the user's interaction withthe touch screen includes a line drawing corresponding to theauthentication shape. The line drawing can include at least one point ofself intersection. The security prompt can include a text entry box andstep 608 can include authenticating the user to the portable device whena valid security password is entered in the text entry box or ignoringtext entered into as text input to the text entry box. Theauthentication shape includes an alphanumeric shape or anon-alphanumeric shape.

In an embodiment of the present invention, step 604 can includegenerating at least one of: a size independent shape descriptor and anorientation independent shape descriptor. The method can include aplurality of operating modes having a corresponding plurality ofsecurity levels. For instance, for a first security level of theplurality of levels, the authentication shape can be recognized based onthe at least one of: the size independent shape descriptor and theorientation independent shape descriptor. For a second security level ofthe plurality of levels, the authentication shape can be recognizedbased on at least one of: a size dependent shape descriptor and anorientation dependent shape descriptor.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with any of the FIGS. 1-40. The methodincludes similar steps described in conjunction with FIG. 40 that arereferred to by common reference numerals. In this method, when anauthentication shape is recognized, the method proceeds to step 612, byprocessing the touch screen data to extract a velocity profileassociated with the user's interaction with the touch screen. In step614, the method compares the velocity profile associated with the user'sinteraction with the touch screen to a stored velocity profile. In step608, the user is authenticated to the portable device when the velocityprofile associated with the user's interaction with the touch screencompares favorably to the stored velocity profile. In step 610, the useris not authenticated to the portable device when the velocity profileassociated with the user's interaction with the touch screen does notcompare favorably to the stored velocity profile.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with any of the FIGS. 1-41. The methodincludes similar steps described in conjunction with FIG. 40 that arereferred to by common reference numerals. In step 620, touch screen datais received from the touch screen in response to the user's line drawingon the touch screen. In step 622, second display data is provided to thetouch screen for displaying the line drawing. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, the touch screen displays the line drawing withlimited persistence so as to display only a portion of the line drawingat a time.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions andfeatures described in conjunction with any of the FIGS. 1-41. The methodincludes similar steps described in conjunction with FIG. 40 that arereferred to by common reference numerals. In step 623, the display ofthe line drawing is suppressed.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “coupled to” and/or “coupling” and/or includes direct couplingbetween items and/or indirect coupling between items via an interveningitem (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, anelement, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirect coupling, theintervening item does not modify the information of a signal but mayadjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As mayfurther be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element iscoupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirectcoupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”. As mayeven further be used herein, the term “operable to” indicates that anitem includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s),etc., to perform one or more its corresponding functions and may furtherinclude inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may stillfurther be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes directand/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item beingembedded within another item. As may be used herein, the term “comparesfavorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items,signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when thedesired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude thansignal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude ofsignal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude ofsignal 2 is less than that of signal 1.

The present invention has also been described above with the aid ofmethod steps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the performance of certainsignificant functions. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description.Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significantfunctions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocksmay also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certainsignificant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram blockboundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and stillperform the certain significant functionality. Such alternatedefinitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocksand sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that thefunctional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules andcomponents herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discretecomponents, application specific integrated circuits, processorsexecuting appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

The present invention has been described in conjunction with variousillustrative embodiments that include many optional functions andfeatures. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that thedisclosed invention may be modified in numerous ways, the functions andfeatures of these embodiments can be combined in other embodiments notexpressly shown, and may assume many embodiments other than thepreferred forms specifically set out and described above. Accordingly,it is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications of theinvention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A portable device comprising: a touch screen that includes a displayscreen and that generates touch screen data in response to a user'sinteraction with the touch screen; a processor for executing at leastone application that includes at least one security application forauthenticating the user to the portable device, wherein the securityapplication includes a plurality of operating modes having acorresponding plurality of security levels including a first securitylevel and a second security level, the security application including:providing first display data to the touch screen for displaying asecurity prompt on the display screen; receiving the touch screen datafrom the touch screen in response to the user's interaction with thetouch screen; processing the touch screen data to determine when anauthentication shape is recognized as being indicated by the touchscreen data, wherein, for the first security level, the authenticationshape is recognized based on the at least one of: the size independentshape descriptor and the orientation independent shape descriptor, andwherein, for the second security level, the authentication shape isrecognized based on at least one of: a size dependent shape descriptorand an orientation dependent shape descriptor; and authenticating theuser to the portable device when the authentication shape is recognizedas being indicated by the touch screen data.
 2. The portable device ofclaim 1 wherein the user's interaction with the touch screen includes aline drawing corresponding to the authentication shape.
 3. The portabledevice of claim 2 further comprising providing second display data tothe touch screen for displaying the line drawing on the display screen.4. The portable device of claim 3 wherein the touch screen displays theline drawing with limited persistence so as to display only a portion ofthe line drawing at a time.
 5. The portable device of claim 2 furthercomprising suppressing a display of the line drawing on the displayscreen.
 6. The portable device of claim 2 wherein line drawing includesat least one point of self intersection.
 7. The portable device of claim1 wherein the security application further includes: processing thetouch screen data to extract a velocity profile associated with theuser's interaction with the touch screen; and determining when thevelocity profile associated with the user's interaction with the touchscreen compares favorably to a stored velocity profile; whereinauthenticating the user to the portable device includes authenticatingthe user to the portable device further when the velocity profileassociated with the user's interaction with the touch screen comparesfavorably to the stored velocity profile.
 8. The portable device ofclaim 1 wherein the security prompt includes a text entry box.
 9. Theportable device of claim 8 wherein authenticating wherein authenticatingthe user to the portable device includes authenticating the user to theportable device when a valid security password is entered in the textentry box.
 10. The portable device of claim 8 wherein the text entry boxcan accept text input that is ignored when authenticating the user tothe portable device.
 11. The portable device of claim 1 wherein theauthentication shape includes a non-alphanumeric shape.
 12. The portabledevice of claim 1 wherein the authentication shape includes analphanumeric shape.
 13. A method for use in authenticating a user to aportable device having a touch screen, the method comprising:determining one of a plurality of operating modes having a correspondingplurality of security levels including a first security level and asecond security level; providing first display data to the touch screenfor displaying a security prompt; receiving touch screen data from thetouch screen m response to the user's interaction with the touch screen;processing the touch screen data to determine when an authenticationshape is recognized as being indicated by the touch screen data,wherein, for the first security level, the authentication shape isrecognized based on the at least one of: the size independent shapedescriptor and the orientation independent shape descriptor, andwherein, for the second security level, the authentication shape isrecognized based on at least one of: a size dependent shape descriptorand an orientation dependent shape descriptor; and authenticating theuser to the portable device when the authentication shape is recognizedas being indicated by the touch screen data.
 14. The method of claim 13wherein the user's interaction with the touch screen includes a linedrawing corresponding to the authentication shape.
 15. The method ofclaim 14 further comprising providing second display data to the touchscreen for displaying the line drawing.
 16. The method of claim 15wherein the touch screen displays the line drawing with limitedpersistence so as to display only a portion of the line drawing at atime.
 17. The method of claim 14 further comprising suppressing adisplay of the line drawing.
 18. The method of claim 14 wherein linedrawing includes at least one point of self intersection.
 19. The methodof claim 13 further comprising: processing the touch screen data toextract a velocity profile associated with the user's interaction withthe touch screen; and determining when the velocity profile associatedwith the user's interaction with the touch screen compares favorably toa stored velocity profile; wherein authenticating the user to theportable device includes authenticating the user to the portable devicefurther when the velocity profile associated with the user's interactionwith the touch screen compares favorably to the stored velocity profile.20. The method of claim 13 wherein the security prompt includes a textentry box.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein authenticating the user tothe portable device includes authenticating the user to the portabledevice when a valid security password is entered in the text entry box.22. The method of claim 20 wherein the text entry box can accept textinput that is ignored when authenticating the user to the portabledevice.
 23. The method of claim 13 wherein the authentication shapeincludes a non-alphanumeric shape.
 24. The method of claim 13 whereinthe authentication shape includes an alphanumeric shape.